JERBA | Quebec, which, like Canada, hesitated to take part in the Francophone Summit because of the tense political climate prevailing in Tunisia, does not intend to condemn the actions, however “extreme” they may be, taken by the President of the host country, Kaïs Saïed.
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“We don’t condemn, but we don’t welcome the situation, we give them a chance, […] we must give democracy a chance,” summarized the Quebec Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie, Martine Biron, during a press scrum, shortly after her arrival on the island of Djerba.
It is on this Tunisian island, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, that the 18th edition of the Francophonie Summit opens this Saturday, after two postponements, first due to COVID-19, then for good reason. political instability in Tunisia, the host country.
authoritarianism
The situation is such that the Trudeau government recently exerted, according to what has leaked in recent months, pressure on France to postpone the summit once again.
The President of the Tunisian Republic has been the subject of criticism since he monopolized all the powers in July 2021. The one who now rules his country by decree officially proceeded, last March, to the dissolution Parliament, a gesture described as a “coup d’etat” by his political opponents, who fear a return to authoritarianism.
“It is certain that President Saïed made an unusual gesture, even extreme in deciding to dismiss his government,” acknowledged Minister Biron, addressing the situation with journalists.
Hesitation
The Legault government therefore also hesitated to go to the top this year.
“Yes, we thought about it because the situation is fragile (in Tunisia). But at some point, you do the balance of the cons,” she explained.
“If we condemn Tunisia, it’s a bit like condemning Africa,” she explained. In the end, “for the health of Africa, it is better that we present ourselves”, she concluded. “The decision we made is for the good of La Francophonie,” added the Minister.
The holding of legislative elections in Tunisia on December 17 also weighed in the balance. “We have to give democracy a chance,” pleaded Ms. Biron.
“We are here for the Francophonie Summit. It is the Francophonie that interests us, she insisted. […] We are here for the Francophonie market. »
François Legault, who plans to join Minister Biron on Friday afternoon, in Djerba, must also participate in the Economic Forum of La Francophonie on Sunday.
His trip to Tunisia could also become the occasion for a first, but short, bilateral meeting with his federal counterpart. This is at the very least a “possibility” mentioned by both Mr. Legault’s cabinet and that of Mr. Trudeau, but everything remains to be confirmed. The two men should meet again in a more formal way, in December, warned the cabinet of Mr. Legault.
Unless there is a change, Justin Trudeau must in any case also participate in the summit, which will begin with an official ceremony on Saturday, in the presence of the Tunisian president and the secretary general of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF). , Louise Mushikiwabo, who, without any opponent, should obtain a second mandate.
New Brunswick dazzles
Triple kiosk, virtual reality devices: New Brunswick is pulling out all the stops to recruit more Francophones abroad.
In comparison, Quebec and Canada each have two tents to welcome delegates and visitors gathered on the island of Djerba, in Tunisia, on the occasion of the 18th edition of the Sommet de la Francophonie.
Located opposite the tents of France, the space reserved by New Brunswick in the heart of the Village de la Francophonie, a place specially set up for the occasion in an amusement park, cuts a good figure.
Virtual reality devices, with which you can admire the Hopewell rocks almost as if you were there, are all the rage, especially with young students on school trips, who line up to tear them off.
A member of the New Brunswick delegation told the Journal that it is not uncommon for people met at the summit to struggle to locate his province on a map. The way to get there? Remind them that it is a neighbor of Quebec!
The XVIII Francophonie Summit
On the island of Djerba (Tunisia), in the heart of the Mediterranean
Event postponed twice due to COVID-19
The 2020 edition was to have in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia
89 participating delegations
31 heads of state and government expected
Several organizations and businesses from across La Francophonie are also on site, particularly as part of the Francophonie Economic Forum, organized on the sidelines of the Summit.
In the program :
FRIDAY
– Arrival of Prime Minister François Legault
– Possibilities of bilateral meetings (to be confirmed)
– Press scrum at the end of the afternoon
SATURDAY
– Opening Ceremony of the Summit
– Family photo with the other Heads of State
– Possibility of a meeting between Justin Trudeau and François Legault
SUNDAY
Participation in the Economic Forum of La Francophonie
Press scrum and government announcement on Francophonie
Shooting at the Village de la Francophonie
Balance sheet
MONDAY
Return to Quebec